At the announcement of the $50,000 award at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, he said young Aboriginal men were targets for prejudice.

"We are kind of walking targets in society, whether that be through police violence or brutality, or being followed around in shops," he said.

"It even transfers to things like the intervention in the Northern Territory, where without naming anyone or anyone imprisoned, there was blanket statements about men being paedophiles and women-bashers.

Mr Karritpul hoped to inspire other young people to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

"I see other young people my age getting into trouble because of alcohol and drugs and hope that they see my success and all the good things I am doing with my art, and realise they could be just like me if they took the time and made different choices," he said.

"It keeps me proud to do painting, and be out there in the wider world, maybe my art might go overseas one day."